I've always thought a good book on survival is a must. Probably because Imo no one person could have all the survival techniques for every situation. In my own "library" besides fiction, I have several books on knots, survival, bowyer, flintknapping, native skills, etc..

I replaced a pocket edition of "sas survival guide", my last one was lent to someone and never got it back. At the hardware store I found "pocket ref", refered to in mythbusters before. It was only $5 and I thought it would be a nice addition. So it got me thinking, what other books do you guys keep with your BOB, WTSHTF, etc..? (if any) Do you have any other "portable", shirt pocket books you like?

Geo

I keep pocket guides on Animal Tracks, Mushrooms, Edible Plants, & Medicinal Plants. I have several survival manuals on my iphone via apps (which is great if my phone can still access them when needed), and I keep an Army Manual (which is purposely not being revealed) in my E&E Bag.

I have a copy of fm21-76. I bought it about 10yrs ago. I keep a few "ebooks" on my tablet, if they ever come with a color e-ink kindle/kobo... Although my battery off wifi is around 10hrs.

Do you have an isbm# or author for you book(s) on edible/medicial plants?

I keep a Collins gem SAS pocket survival guide in my bag. It is slightly bigger then my smart phone.

I have a number of first aid and wilderness skills ebooks on my smartphone.

Freeballer, search, "Steve Brill," He is a noted wild edibles author and instructor. He also has a great app. I have taken wild edibles classes by him and own both his paper and ebooks.

For the pocket guides, look at Barnes & Noble in the Natural section.

No affiliation with B&N other than as a customer.

Cool. The SAS has some information on editble/medicinal plants but it would be nice to have a little more info. Thanks for the suggestions.

Funny, I keep everything I've ever bought in terms of field guides and hiking books on the bookshelf gathering dust mostly, especially the ones I haven't gone ahead and learned first hand, like knots (lousy at knots except for 3) and mushrooms. Which makes them less than useful if the SHTF, and I'm now dependent on finding edible mushrooms - a field guide will only lower my chances of poisoning.

If I'm asked to tie a Double Splayed Loop in a Bight or a Double Fishermen's Bend to save our lives I'll admit defeat for lack of being that prepared, there's no time to look at a book then; a prussik, bowline or square knot have mostly worked for me.

I always pack Buck Tilton's Backcountry First Aid in my FAK, and will read it on the trail in idle hours. I'd rather have that one with me than sitting at home, in case the WFA training fails me or something really weird happens, and I want to quickly consult, or have non-WFA trained people quickly consult before treating me!

I have a lot of survival and related topics books on my shelf, but there aren't any that I pack around with me on a regular basis.

Same here.

I do have a SAS survival guide but not in pocket size ( too small for my eyes). I do have the Pocket Ref and plan to get the Desktop Ref which I have read to have a bigger font.

Lately I bought a book that illustrate the flora and fauna of my area of the world plus a few pointers about the environment. Not exactly survival related, but will fill many holes in knowing my area outside the city. This book is too heavy to carry around.

Actually, I have something better than a book in the subject, but hesitate to take advantage of. One of the work colleagues is a "desert guy" and camps there alot. However, he is the type that will jump before he thinks. He's like Bear Grylls with a few shots of adrinalin and caffein !! Not my type, and I don't want such a guy to be my mentor, not when I am approaching 60yo. LOL.

I put the Collins Gem version of the SAS Survival Guide into both of our kits along with a magnifier to aid my old eyes.

^ Same here, the Fresnel magnifier is in the PSK if ever needed.

The Collins Gem version is by far the most durable (and compact) of any guide I would bring with me at any time. Most of my other guides would be forever virtually useless if they got even partly wet...imagine a miniature telephone book left out in the rain (idiots!), if you've ever seen that, even worse than a paperback dropped in the bathtub (not me!).

Don't know how it is for other people, but I find reading relaxing, reading just about anything does it, so any guide I bring has a secondary purpose so might as well be useful too.

yes, the collins gems pocket is pretty sturdy looking. My pocket ref would be useless if gotten wet.. miniature phone book definitely. I still remember a few knots from scouts lol maybe making the knot a hundred times when I was young helps.. What I've done at times when reading a book is take a break and read a "technical manual", survival guide, etc.. It probably helps that, working in a call center, there can be time to read.

I removed my fresnel lense from psk, not because of size, but I could never get a fire started.

Chisel. your friend sounds interesting, but in small doses lol
Part of my reasons for asking about fauna is i don't really know enough about my area's edible/medicinal. And references to cacti in SAS doesn't help me much here in Canada.